Report: Manchester United to open talks with Barcelona over Pedro

Pedro, who has won 51 caps for Spain, has been linked with a summer move to the Premier League.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Manchester United will reportedly hold talks with Barcelona this weekend in their bid to beat Liverpool and Chelsea to the signing of forward Pedro.

The Spain international is seen as an ideal replacement for Angel Di Maria, who is rumoured to be closing in on a $69 million switch to French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

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United are due to play Barca in a friendly clash in San Francisco on Saturday evening, hence it would seem the perfect time to open talks over the 27-year-old’s potential move to Old Trafford.

Pedro, who has won 51 caps for his country, has a $34 million release clause in his contract but United are keen on negotiating that price and will put a payment structure in place that could see the versatile forward complete his move sometime next week.

Louis van Gaal is keen to add to his striking options, following the loss of Robin van Persie to Fenerbahce, and Pedro’s ability to play through the middle or out wide is a major factor in LvG’s interest.

Liverpool and Chelsea remain keen, however, but it would seem that United may have stolen a march on their Premier League rivals ahead of the start of the new season.